Hot pads are a great project for scraps because they are small, simple shapes that cry out for mixing and matching. We 'stretched' our possibilities by making a long, two-handed version. Kind of like those 'idiot mittens' you used to have as a kid; one mitten on the each end of a string that ran through the arms of your coat. However, we didn't think 'idiot hot pads' sounded very good. I don't know about you, but I always set down my pot holders on opposite sides of the kitchen so when I need both to pull something out of the oven or off the stove, I never seem to have two within reach. Problem solved, and a very pretty solution to boot!

We suggest you use a thermal batting, such as Insul-Bright to insure you can handle hot pots and pans without yelping.

If you want to browse some of our other hot pad projects as possibilities for your scraps, check our our Nature Brights Kitchen: Quilted Hot Pads or our Retro Fun: Quilted Mitt Pot Holders.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome DC5100)

Fabric and Other Supplies

• Scraps of various cotton fabrics or ¼ yard cuts (you need two pieces for each body, both 8" x 31", FOUR 8" x 8" squares for the mitts, TWO 3" x 8" strips for the mitt borders, and one 4" x 4" square for the hanger): we used our collection of scraps from Pillow & Maxfield's Pretty Bird for Michael Miller Fabrics: Orange Twirling Tendrils and Spice Meandering Vines for the body, Brown Dancing Flowers for the mitts, and Spice Garden Stripe for the borders and hanger
• Scraps or ½ yard of thermal batting (one piece 8" x 31" and two pieces approximately 8" x 8"): we used Insul-Bright from The Warm Company
• All purpose thread to match fabrics
• Tracing or pattern paper
• See-through ruler
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
• Straight pins

Getting Started

1. Download and print the Rounded Corner Template.
   IMPORTANT: This pattern consists of ONE 8.5" x 11" sheet. You must print the PDF file at 100%. DO NOT SCALE to fit the page.
2. Cut out the piece along the solid line. Set aside.
3. From the tracing or pattern paper, cut an 8" x 8" square. Set aside.
4. From the fabric(s) for the body of the hot pad (Orange Twirling Tendrils-front and Spice Meandering Vines-back in our sample), cut ONE 8" x 31" rectangle for the front and ONE 8" x 31" rectangle for the back.
5. Using your 8" x 8" template, from the fabric for the mitts (Brown Dancing Flowers in our sample), fussy cut FOUR 8" x 8" squares.
   NOTE: The fussy-cutting is most important for the pieces that will become the front of your mitts. Choose and center a large design; I picked a large flower with bits of eye-catching blue on its petals.
6. From the contrasting fabric (Garden Stripe in our sample), cut:
   ONE 4"x 4" square for the hanger.
   TWO 3" x 8" strips for the mitt borders.
   NOTE: If you use a directional print as we did, think about which way you want your print to appear. For example, we wanted our stripes running horizontally.
7. From the thermal batting, cut ONE 8" x 31" rectangle for the body. We'll cut the batting for the mitts later.
8. Layer your three body pieces flat on your work surface in the following order: batting, back piece RIGHT side up, front piece WRONG side up.
   
9. Pin the Rounded Corner Template in place on one end. Align the side edges and bring the curve very close to the raw edges. Pin and carefully cut.
   
10. Repeat to round the opposite end.
    NOTE: We cut through all layers at once to insure our pieces would match up perfectly for sewing. However, for the mitt pieces below, I recommend cutting these one at a time to insure your designs are centered and to lessen the chance you'll cut one backwards.
11. Place the two 8" x 8" squares that will become the front of your mitts side by side.  Adjust the two pieces until they are mirror images of one another.
12. Place the Rounded Corner Template on the outside right edge of one square, aligning as above. Pin and cut.
    
13. Without moving the pieces, place the Rounded Corner Template on the outside left edge of the opposite square, aligning as above. Pin and cut.
14. It's important to keep track of your lefts and rights so the mitts are correctly cut to fit on each end of the hot pad.
15. Repeat steps 11-14 to cut the mitt lining pieces.
    

At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board

Assemble the mitts

1. Pin a 3" x 8" strip right sides together with the inside straight edge of each front mitt front piece. Stitch together using a ½" seam allowance. Press seam open.
   
2. Match up the opposite 8" side of each strip with the inside straight edge of each mitt lining piece. Stitch together using a ½" seam allowance. Press seam open.
   
3. You now have two flat mitt pieces. Fold each one in half, matching all raw edges and creating a clean-finished fold along the border edge.
4. Use one folded piece as a template to cut TWO pieces of thermal batting. Remember, I promised we'd do this.
   
5. Sandwich a batting piece in between the fabric layers of each mitt, making sure all the layers are smooth and flat. Using a ¼" seam allowance, machine baste around the raw edges. Do not stitch along the folded border edge.
   

Assemble the front layers

1. Place the batting down first on your work surface, place the front body piece on top, right side up. Place a finished mitt on each end. Keep the raw edges of all the layers flush. Pin the layers together and the mitts in place.
   

Create the hanger

1. Find your 4" x 4" fabric square. Fold it in half diagonally. Stitch ½" from the folded edge.
   
2. Trim the remaining fabric to ¼" from the seam. Turn right side out and roll the seam to the center of once side. Press well.
   
   NOTE: I used my hemostats to allow me to turn this tiny tube with ease.
3. Fold the hanger loop in half and pin it in place at the center top of the hot pad body. To find the center, simply fold the hot pad body in half and mark the top center with a pin.
4. The hanging loop should be right sides together with the hot pad body, in other words, the seam of the loop should be facing up. I adjusted my loop for the pointy raw edges extended beyond the raw edge of the body. I'll trim them off later. 
   

Final assembly

1. Layer the hot pad back piece right sides together with the assembled front.
   
2. Pin all around, leaving an approximate 6" opening along the edge opposite the hanger. Just to make sure you're paying attention, in my picture that opening is shown at the top of the photo. 
   
3. Using a ½" seam allowance, stitch around the entire hot pad. Go slowly around the curved ends, stopping as needed, with your needle in the down position, to slightly adjust your presser foot position if needed. Remember to back tack or lock stitch at either side of the 6" bottom opening.
4. Trim the seam allowance and clip the curves. Do not trim back the seam allowance along the opening.
5. Turn right side out through the opening. Use your finger or a long blunt tool, like a chopstick or knitting needle, to help smooth out the curved ends.
6. Fold in the raw edges of the opening so they are flush with the sewn seam. Pin in place and slip stitch closed.
   
   

Contributors

Project Design: Alicia Thommas 
Sample Creation: Liz Johnson

Other machines suitable for this project include the Elna 5200 and the Baby Lock Melody.

Comments (26)

fat quarter said:

... Just finished my second set. Combine it with a matching hot pad and tea towel, and it is the perfect shower, hostess, house warming, or Mother's Day gift! Better yet, treat yourself !! I liked it because I could use a larger print for the fussy cut mitt top. I did make the pattern pieces out of freezer paper; they simply ironed on to the fabric. This was a lot easier than trying to pin printer paper.

February 16, 2012

Barbara Riley said:

... Love my Janome!!! I usually start looking in January for an idea to start on for Christmas presents for next year. I always have a very hard time finding something that will be useful for all the gals on my list, but the Two-Handed Pot Holder really fills the bill! Thank you so much for sharing the directions (which are very easy to follow and the pictures are great, by the way).

January 12, 2012

Charlyne Broadbent said:

... I have been sewing for over 60 years and the Janome is by far the best machine on the market bay none.

January 12, 2012

WJCCreations said:

... You can buy these in most kitchen shops in the UK as they don't do as much sewing there! I have several pairs and I am wanting to make some for presents as everyone wants them to match their decor! Great pattern and instructions!

July 07, 2011

christinelf said:

... Great pattern, excellent directions, but I don\'t think I need to use the template to make rounded edges. I have wanted to make one of these, now I can.

June 14, 2011

criacoesdamarcia said:

... Amei essa idéia, tudo aqui e tao lndo que fica dificil dizer qual o mais bonito

June 05, 2011

Dixie said:

... I bought one of these many, many years ago and I wore it out because I loved it so much. It makes so much sense. I've been looking for another one for about 10 years now. Why don't more (or any) manufacturers make these? Are these potholders just too sensible?

April 29, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi JaLynne Ellington - the Pillow & Maxfield fabric we used is a quilting weight. The Insul-Bright layer may be what is giving you the perception of extra heft. Also, we always use quality designer fabric from top manufacturers like Michael Miller, Moda, Rowan, Free Spirit, Lucien, Robert Kaufman, etc. It will look different (thicker and smoother) than a economy fabric you might find at a discount store.

April 06, 2011

JaLynne Ellington said:

... this fabric looks heavier than avg. quilting fabric. I went to Pillow and Maxfield's to determine the weight, but it wasn't much help. Is the fabric you used for this project consistent with home decor fabric or will quilting fabric work??? Thanks!! JaLynne

April 06, 2011

AshleyClark said:

... Oh my gosh, I love this! I've been searching for Rachel Ray's thing-ys like this, but I think I'll just make my own!!

February 27, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Hom said:

... Hi Enon3 -- I just tested the print function using the icon at the top of the article. It worked fine, which unfortunately means it's something on your end. There are so many variables with browsers and computers and plugins, it's nearly impossible to tell long distance what the problem might be. You could also try plugging in the link at this handy website that allows web pages to be saved and/or printed as a pdf: http://www.printfriendly.com/

February 22, 2011

Enon3 said:

... Can not print copy of "Scrap It: Two Handed Pot Holder" Have tried all morning, off and on. My registration has been activated. PLEASE HELP!!!

February 22, 2011

Celia Menezes said:

... Thanks! RJ - Brasil

February 17, 2011

Savitar said:

... Thanks for the pattern. Just made this for my daughter's new apartment. I modified it a bit. Because Insulbright is so expensive, I just used it in the section where the mitts hold onto the pot - at both ends - and then substituted plain cotton batting in the middle. I didn't think that the back of the mitt part needed padding (you're not going to hold the pot with the back side of the mitts), so left that just two layers of fabric. I also made a coordinating plain square pot holder from another Sew4Home project.

January 28, 2011

JenniferB said:

... I am so excited about this project. I made a resolution to knit or sew one new-to-me project per week for the entire year, and this just made the list!

January 24, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi vivke -- nice job -- and little round hot pads to match . Glad you liked the project.

January 23, 2011

vivke said:

... What a great tutorial! And guess what, I already made one ! Just take a look at http://tijdtekort.blogspot.com Greatings from Belgium

January 23, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Lizpt -- thanks for sharing us on your blog. This is a super fun project. I loved making it.

January 19, 2011

Lizpt said:

... Love this! We will be featuring you over at our blog ziggycrafts.blogspot.com Thanks so much for sharing. I can't wait to get started on mine.

January 19, 2011

kimberlee said:

... I LOVE this! I love that it hangs on the oven handle!

January 18, 2011

jodieth said:

... I love this! Thanks so much for idea.

January 17, 2011

Sheryll said:

... I am so happy I found this easy to make pot holder. I can see myself purchasing some wonderful Amy Butler prints for this project!!

January 13, 2011

PK said:

... What easy to follow directions! The pictures support the directions so well!

January 12, 2011

Angc said:

... I have been looking all over for a pattern for one of these. It's like you guys read my mind!!! I will definately be making some of these as gifts.

January 12, 2011

donna sanford said:

... i love the fabric and where the the flower is just pops on the ends,great job

January 12, 2011

Brita said:

... What a great pattern! Looks easy enough, and would be super hostess gifts. Thanks.

January 12, 2011

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